CB2 Opposing Proposed Development on Atlantic & 3rd
A Boerum Hill developer wants the city to give its blessing to a project that would result in a new building on the spot where Hank’s Saloon, dive of dives, now operates. But not if Community Board 2 has anything to say about it. The developer, R&E Brooklyn, is seeking a zoning variance from the…
A Boerum Hill developer wants the city to give its blessing to a project that would result in a new building on the spot where Hank’s Saloon, dive of dives, now operates. But not if Community Board 2 has anything to say about it. The developer, R&E Brooklyn, is seeking a zoning variance from the city to go quite a bit higher and wider than regulations permit on the corner of Third and Atlantic. Earlier this week, CB2’s land-use committee voted unanimously to recommend that the Board of Standards and Appeals not approve R&E’s proposal, which, at 14,000 square feet, would be more than double the site’s as-of-right floor area. (R&E has info about the planned building up here, though it appears to be out of date.) The building, which would have 12 700-square-foot apartments on six floors, would also be 12 feet higher than zoning allows, as well as cover 10 percent more of the lot than is permitted. R&E has been responsible for other developments in the area like the still-under-construction “Green House” on Nevins Street. The good news for fans of Hank’s in all of this is that R&E intends to offer the bar an opportunity to return to the new building. GMAP
Man, I love Hanks… and now I live right around the corner. But, I used to go to Hank’s (like, 8 years ago) even when I lived on the UES, so I’m hoping this proposal is stalled indefinitely.
Good for CB2! Someone has to keep a lid on this growing pressure.
From my perspective, this is the whole slippery slope deal. They want to build DOUBLE what is permitted — from 6,600 sq ft to more than 14,000 sq ft (never mind that the DoRay building will abut and block the lot line windows on the site to the south on Third Avenue — those unfortunate owners…) and the overriding concern is that granting this permission will open a flood of similar ‘me too’ requests. And if the BSA is as spineless as is rumored here, that bodes much ill. Spot zoning is spot zoning and Not A Good Thing, no matter how you slice it.
Plus, I cannot imagine the residents/owners of the nice new building embracing Hanks. Can any of you? Really? Sorry, but that stinks of Make Nice Red Herring. Really, really long-dead not-so-nice Red Herring.
To the larger point, think of the same thing happening on the north side of Atlantic and the effect bigger and taller has on the residential tenants and owners on State Street.
They are applying for a spot rezoning. This development site is adjacent to a 9-story building constructed with an 8.0 FAR. It is also across the street from an R7A zoning district.
The zoning code was specifically created to allow for the dense districts of the early 1960s to expand, one building and block at a time. The zoning laws are by no means fixed, forever.
Love Hank’s. So do lots of others. It could be an institution. I’m glad that they want to keep it there. The mildest most scrappy little bar is better than a corner bank. There is no better way to kill a streetcorner than putting a bank there. My hat is off to the owners for wanting to keep it there, even if they do make it more upscale.
yeah, i think we should close down/replace every “total eyesore” bar in brooklyn. only wine bars man. or you know, trendy cutesy stuff like that
I love the bit about offering Hank’s a space in the new building. I bet Hank’s could never afford whatever the rent would be, and more to the point, I bet whoever’s paying what will no doubt be hefty rent or condo prices on the new building won’t be too psyched to have a bar downstairs. Especially something as dive-y (but awesome!) as Hank’s. Sounds like some window-dressing to me.
Didn’t this used to be the Doo Ray Tavern, where good friends meet?
And this is right across the street from the YWCA, which is a lot more than six stories high. I don’t see the problem.
I have fond memories of getting drunk enough to get lost on giant steps in Hank’s.Them were the days-And all for only $7!
Hank’s is skank…and it rules.